Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Flogging a Dead Horse

The Londonist are reporting today that Westfield Stratford are thinking of buying the naming rights of the Olympic Stadium for around £20m once West Ham move in (althougb I'm pretty sure that this is old news).

However it will never happen if Sp#rs have their way. The North London dead horse floggers today said that they had,

"... applied to the High Court to renew its application for permission to bring a claim against the London Borough of Newham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company, the Mayor of London and Government Ministers for judicial review."

This latest action ignores the advice of the judge in their recent judicial review who said that Tottenham's case was a matter of 'legal ingenuity over substance'. It does seem that Sp#rs are listening to their lawyers rather than to common sense.

They have already had to pay Newham Council’s costs in the recent judicial review and it seems that they are setting themselves up for further legal bills and potential costs.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Mackail-Smith Set for Leicester?

Peterborough United have accepted a bid for Mackail-Smith from Leicester. They have turned down an offer from West Ham but are expecting the club to come back with a better offer.

"We have accepted a bid from Leicester," said Posh's director of football Barry Fry.

"Their manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is out of the country at the moment, but was due to speak to Craig over the weekend.

"I have had several conversations with West Ham, but we have turned down their bid. I am certain they will be back."

The Daily Mail say Stoke have made a £3 million bid for Carlton Cole. However the paper says that although West Ham are keen to get Cole's high wage bill off the book the club wants closer to £7 million. The Mail also claim that there are doubts that Cole would pass a medical.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Barrera Shines in Mexico Win

Pablo Barrera has had a lot of stick from West Ham fans. From the little I've seen of Barrera I have thought that he looks promising. This last season Grant seemed to play him out of position, which I don't think helped his game.

Yesterday Pablo Barrera scored two goals in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as Mexico beat the USA 4-2. By all accounts Barrera had a very impressive tournament. The question is can he perform in the Championship.

The Daily Star claim that West Ham are set to win the race to sign Peterborough striker Craig Mackail-Smith.

Friday, June 24, 2011

West Ham Bid for Dale & Good Bye to Kovac

Various reports suggest that Kovac is about to join FC Basel in Switzerland.

In other news, West Ham are believed to have made a bid for Tranmere Rovers’ Dale Jennings. Dale had looked set to join Bayern Munich but apparently talks have now stalled The Mail claim that West Ham has stepped in to offer £1.8 million for the 18 year old striker.

Sam Wants Europe in Two Years

Sam Allardyce, in his first press conference as West Ham manager, outlined some ambitious plans. He says he has been given a two year contract and expects to be challenging for Europe by the time that contract ends.

Allardyce confirmed the departure of Hitzlsperger, "Thomas has already left as far as I'm concerned," he said. "He's gone and has moved on." However he said that he hopes to persuade Scott Parker, Carlton Cole and Rob Green to stay, whilst admitting that they may be sold if suitable offers are received.

Allardyce also said,

"I'm a productive manager who breeds success. I've got a vast array of skills and I'll put them to work here and hopefully at the end of the year we'll all be blowing bubbles."

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Collison and Hines Offered New Deals

Sky Sports say that West Ham have entered discussions with Jack Collison to try and extend his contract with the club.

TalkSport say West Ham are also trying to sign a new deal with Zavon Hines. Unlike Collison the young striker is out of contract but TalkSport say Sam Allardyce is keen to keep the England Under-21 striker at Upton Park.

The Telegraph report that a High Court judge should report in the next few days on whether to grant permission for a judicial review over West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium. Sp#rs and Leyton Orient have both called for a review into the move.

Da Costa Sold

West Ham have sold Manuel Da Costa to FC Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee (although the Russian press are reporting 1.5 million Euro). The West Ham website said that Da Costa had one year left on his contract and had expressed a desire to leave the club.

Da Costa will once again be team-mates with Victor Obinna, who also signed for the Russian club this week.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

West Ham vs Cardiff Game Moved

West Ham's opening game of the season has been moved back a day. The game will now take place on Sunday, 7th August, with kick-off at 1 pm. The game will be live on BBC TV.

The Sun say that West Ham are likely to lose Robert Green over the summer and will therefore attempt to sign Joe Lewis, the Peterborough keeper.

In other news Victor Obinna is set to sign a four year deal with Lokomotiv Moscow. The Inter Milan player, who spent last season on loan at West Ham, will formally move clubs on 1st July on a free contract.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Owners Loan West Ham £30 million

The News of the World and The Star say West Ham are chasing Newcastle's Alan Smith.

The Mirror claim that Aston Villa tried to clinch a deal with Kevin Nolan but that Nolan refused to do a U-turn after giving his word to West Ham ­co-owner David Sullivan that he would move to West Ham if they could reach an agreement with ­Newcastle.

The Mirror also report that David Sullivan and David Gold have given West Ham an ­interest free £30m loan to keep West Ham afloat. Sullivan says,

"We have now put in £30m to keep the club afloat and fund transfers. We expect that figure to rise."

Friday, June 17, 2011

West Ham's New Assistant Manager

Neil McDonald has been appointed West Ham's new assistant manager. McDonald was Allardyce's assistant at both Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.

McDonald said of his new job,

"Sam asked me to come with him and it took me about two or three seconds to decide that I would. It's a fantastic, huge football club that needs to be in the Premier League and that's what we're here for - to get back up as soon as we can, in that first season if possible.

"We're really looking forward to the season. It's going to be a long season with lots of games compared to the Premier League, but we'll have the players prepared and ready to win as many games as possible and get into a position to get back into the Premier League."

Ba Joins Newcastle

Newcastle have signed Demba Ba on a three year deal.

West Ham had reportedly offered to double Ba's wages to stay at the club but he has chosen instead to exercise a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave on a free contract once West Ham were relegated.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Nolan Signs for West Ham

Kevin Nolan has signed with West Ham from Newcastle for an undisclosed fee (rumoured to be around £4 million).

The 28 year old midfielder has signed on a five year contract. Nolan said on joining West Ham,

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind, but obviously once I knew that they wanted me, they have shown a certain hunger and desire to make sure I become a West Ham player," said Nolan.

"Having the chance to link up with Sam again is a massive thing and obviously coming to such a massive club is great for me. I'm very sad to leave Newcastle but I'm coming to another massive club in my eyes and hopefully I can start off and be as successful as I was there.

"I came to West Ham because of the tradition of the club and everything about it. I've always enjoyed playing here and there was also the chance of linking up with Sam and working with him again.

"The be all and end all was that the club actually wanted me and the owners put faith in me and have given me a security of contract. Now it's my time to repay them and hopefully I will do that."

Ba and Hitz leave on Free Contracts

The Guardian report that Demba Ba has turned down a £50,000-a-week salary plus a bonus payment of £500,000 to stay at West Ham. They say he has now left the club and that Everton are favourites to sign him.

The Guardian say that Hitzlsperger has also left the club. The paper says that the midfielder was offered the captain's role at West Ham but he has also decided to exercise a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the club on a free transfer.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

West Ham Sign Faye

West Ham have signed 33-year-old centre-back Abdoulaye Faye on a free transfer from Stoke.

The West Ham website says that "Faye is expected to be the first of at least seven players the club hopes to sign this summer."

Faye himself said today,

"I am very happy to be here at West Ham - this is a great club, a big club and I cannot wait to get started here. For me to come here was no problem, I had other clubs offers, but I was happy to come here.

"People may ask why as the team are in the Championship, but I am excited at the challenge to help get the team back to the Premier League, where I think the club belongs. The club also has a great fan base and I am looking forward to playing for them and giving my all on the pitch."

Faye is well know to West Ham manager Sam Allardyce having played for him at both Bolton and Newcastle.

Hitz Wants to Leave West Ham

The Telegraph say that Demba Ba and Thomas Hitzlsperger have both activated clauses in their contracts that allow them to leave West Ham on free transfers. The paper also claim that West Ham have only received one offer for Parker, from Fenerbahce, that Parker turned down.

Parker is understood to want to remain in the Premier League but his age and transfer fee are proving a stumbling block to interested clubs.

Sky are reporting that Anthony Gardner's move to Birmingham has broken down after the resignation of Alex McLeish. They say West Ham are now interested in signing the defender who is available on a free contract.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Yakubu, Faye and Gardner are Targets

The People claim that West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is interested in signing Everton striker Yakubu. They say that Yakubu would have to take a pay cut if he joined West Ham - so I guess that, like the Kevin Nolan offer, this is another non-starter.

The Mirror say that Scott Parker has turned down a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce. The Mirror also say that West Ham expect to sign Abdoulaye Faye on a free following the 33-year-old’s release from Stoke.

The Mirror also believe that West Ham are after Bolton’s Ricardo Gardner.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Hines Rejects West Ham Contract

Zavon Hines has turned down West Ham's latest contract offer. Whilst I obviously don't know the details of the offer made to the 22 year old striker it seems to me he is playing a dangerous game.

Zines hardly impressed last season in a relegated team. I can't see any clubs bigger than West Ham rushing to sign him up. West Ham seem to be his best chance of getting first team football and furthering his career, so I would think he hasn't got much of a bargaining position.

Kumb are reporting that West Ham expect to sign an experienced defender in the next 24 hours, with another player to be signed within days.

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

West Ham in Negotiations with 5 Players

The Shields Gazette say that Newcastle have turned down West Ham's £3 million offer for Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan. The Shields however report that Nolan may have to take a substantial pay cut if he wants to stay at Newcastle and that an offer of £4 million by West Ham may prove successful.

David Sullivan has confirmed that West Ham "are in negotiations for five players and could confirm at least one signing next week."

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

The Naming Rights of the New Stadium

The Mirror claim that West Ham are set to sell the naming rights to the Olympic Stadium for up to £20 million. The paper says that the club are currently in negotiations with Westfield, whose shopping mall in Stratford is due to open at the end of this summer.

The Star and The Sun both claim that Wolves and QPR are chasing the signature of free agent Matthew Upson. Suckers!

Monday, June 06, 2011

Parker Takes a Break Before He Leaves

Scott Parker says he will consider his future at West Ham after he has taken a family holiday. He also says that his future is out of his hands, which suggests he believes it won't be at West Ham,

"I've not really any idea where I might be playing next season. My main focus now is going away with my family on holiday and just relaxing. It's been a tough season and my main focus is getting away and just relaxing.

"I haven't set myself a deadline. Whether you believe it or not, my main focus is just going away and relaxing and what's to be is going to be. It's out of my hands, out of my control, really, isn't it? We will see what happens."

Victor Obinna is the latest player to blame Avram Grant for West Ham's relegation,

"West Ham is too big to play in the lower league. I want to apologise to the fans because they don’t deserve the Championship. It is still like a bad dream.

"Too many things went wrong, from the board, to the coaches and the players. We had a good team but our coaching crew did not know how to use the type of players at its disposal. The coaches were just incapable.

"I trained hard after I came back from the injury but the coach and his back room staff felt I was not good to start. It is quite frustrating. The fans thought I should be playing, but it is the manager who decides and you can’t challenge him on that count."

Thursday, June 02, 2011

Allardyce on Buying and Selling Players

TalkSport has interviewed Sam Allardyce about his new job with West Ham.

Here are Sam's thoughts on selling and buying players:

Will players be sold?

"That's probably going to be the case, for financial reasons. There's a dramatic loss of revenue, even with good parachute payments. It's still a massive loss and you have to adjust like every club has to adjust when they've fallen out of the Premier League.

But for me, whatever happens with some of the good players there'll still be the basis of a very good squad and there's some very good young players at West Ham to enable us to rebuild very quickly."

Who has the final say over new signings?

It's me and David Sullivan. He's very knowledgeable in the football world and has done (this) for a number of years at Birmingham. My discussions and recommendations go to him and we'll try our best to secure the player.

But I'll have the final say, it's not a football club I think that drops a player on your door that you don't know about, I don't think that's going to be the case at all."

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Fernandes Bid Rejected

F1 Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes has had an e-mailed offer to take over West Ham turned down.

Fernandes has been Tweeting a number of bizarre claims recently about his desire to buy West Ham. Today he Tweeted again saying,

"For all you West Ham fans an offer has gone to the present owners of West Ham. Let's see if they accept."

Many commentators have taken this latest move as an attempt by Fernandes to get a bit more publicity on the day that West Ham unveiled their new manager.

West Ham have acknowledged that they received an e-mail bid from Fernandes and that it has been rejected. David Sullivan said today,

"We have received an e-mail from Tony Fernandes regarding an offer for a share of the club which has immediately been rejected. He has announced this on Twitter and people can draw their own conclusions as to the seriousness of it from that.

"We are not looking to sell the club but, as we have always said, we would love co-investors to join us in rebuilding West Ham United, which has been our aim ever since we took charge back in January 2010.

"In the event that a serious investor came forward as was the case at Chelsea and Manchester City, we would naturally consider it for the good of the club - but this is certainly not the case in this instance.

"This kind of approach is very unhelpful when we have just made a big step forward as a club in our hope of returning to the Premier League, and it distracts from our main focus which is promotion."

Official - It is Big Sam

Over the weekend the official West Ham website posted a story saying that you would hear news of who was the new West Ham manager first on the West Ham website.

They were wrong - as today the official site finally announced what everyone had heard already - Sam Allardyce is the new West Ham manager.

The site quotes Allardyce as saying,

"It is an honour to be the new manager of West Ham United. It is a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters who deserve to be in the Premier League. I can't wait to begin pre-season training as I am determined to get this club back where it belongs."

"I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League. More than that, I wouldn't have contemplated the job if I didn't think there was the opportunity to build something substantial at West Ham."

"There is a core of very talented young players at the club who've come up through the youth system, have West Ham in their blood and who I know I can build a successful team around.

"That's what I'm looking forward to, managing a club that wins more games than it loses and competing at the top of the table. We need to create a winning mentality and give the fans a team they can be proud to watch."

"I know there will be West Ham fans asking whether I'm going to abandon the style of play that's been the club's heritage over the years. All I'll say is it will be a tale of home and away.

"At Upton Park we'll attempt to play the kind of passing game the fans want. We will aim to continue in the same way on our travels but we'll also be tough, hard to beat and utterly resilient."